John Lebanon releases captivating new single "Mizuri" and connected with us to reveal the story behind the music
- STAFF
- Sep 18
- 6 min read
By: Staff
An extraordinary blend of haunting melodies and profound emotion, "Mizuri" showcases John Lebanon’s artistic brilliance
John Lebanon invites you on a sonic journey with their new track "Mizuri," a piece that unfolds like a secret whispered between shadows and light. From the very first notes, this song draws you in with a haunting piano and a voice that commands attention both fragile and fierce. The arrangement feels like a delicate dance, where every shimmer and ghost note builds an atmosphere that lingers long after the final chord fades.
We spoke with the minds behind this evocative creation to uncover the hidden layers within "Mizuri." Who are the architects of this sound and what invisible threads connect their stories? What inspired a title that feels both ancient and mysterious? As you delve deeper, you’ll discover how themes of faith, resilience, and impermanence shape not only their music but their very lives.
The band’s exploration of memory and emotion is more than just songwriting it is a window into moments that have left permanent marks. How does vulnerability transform into art here? And when raw honesty meets creative collaboration what new energies emerge? We explore how the featured artist, Gaby Carvajal Poisson, adds a unique presence that shifts the dynamic and how each member’s strengths blend into a rich tapestry of sound.
Behind the scenes, every detail from subtle stereo effects to the choice of instruments crafts an immersive experience. And as John Lebanon looks ahead, "Mizuri" feels like a milestone, a marker of evolution and a promise of what’s to come.
Step inside and listen closely.
Here’s how it went:
Begin Interview:
Hello John Lebanon, we’re thrilled to have you here for this interview! We've had an amazing time exploring your music and diving into your creative journey. Now, we’re even more intrigued to get a deeper look into both your brand and your personal and professional inspirations.
Q: We’d love to get to know the band a bit better. Can you walk us through who’s in John Lebanon, and what unique strengths or creative roles each member brings to the table? And please tell us more about the featured artist, Gaby Carvajal Poisson—how has she added to the dynamic?
A: John Lebanon began mainly with Roy’s ideas and songwriting, he later met Matt Hatch, a pianist with a background in audio engineering and mixing. They started jamming, learning from each other, and developing a production style together. Later, Matt Deluccia joined as bassist, though over the past year he’s been contributing much more. For Mizuri, Deluccia’s verse set the tone for the whole song, which Roy then developed as his strength has always been turning real life into lyrics and shaping the direction of the music. Jihad, an incredible guitarist who recently left Boston, will hopefully perform with Roy in Lebanon.
As for Gaby Carvajal Poisson, she’s a longtime friend with a powerful, unique voice. We thought she’d be perfect for vocals on Mizuri and she was. Some of our older tracks featured female backing vocals, so bringing her energy back into the mix gave us that feminine dimension again. She didn’t just sing the part, she lifted the whole track. We’re also thrilled that she’ll be performing live with us in Boston.
Q: We absolutely loved Mizuri. The decision to open with a piano-vocal accompaniment was stunning. What’s the story behind the song’s meaning, and how did you know this was something the world needed to hear? Also, what inspired the alluring title, and what does it represent?
A: Thank you! that means a lot. The piano-and-vocal opening was a conscious choice. We usually like intros and had one initially, but decided to cut it and let the progression breathe. During the arrangement phase, many creative choices shifted like the instrumental break before verse two, which originally had vocals. Roy decided to keep it empty, giving the song more space.
The song meaning: so, The first verse was written by Deluccia, reflecting his journey of finding faith and escaping a nihilistic rut. Roy expanded on it in verse two, and together they broke the tension with a funk-inspired bridge. What began as a deeply personal lyric evolved into a collective story.
As for the name, one lyric that stuck with Roy was “misery.” Reflecting on the religious themes, “Missouri” came to mind, and from there the Japanese notion of transformation inspired the adaptation : Mizuri. It represents the shift from hardship into beauty: the transformation of misery through faith, love, strength, or purpose. At its core, the song is about finding oneself.
Q: How would you describe the kind of music John Lebanon makes, and which genres you feel most connected to? Are there different styles within your sound that you’re intentionally exploring or blending?
A: Our music is eclectic. At its heart, it’s storytelling through folk and indie rock, but it weaves in pop, electronic, and ambient textures. We don’t chase genres but we let each song dictate what it needs.
Q: What tends to spark your creative process? Is there a particular space, feeling, or experience that consistently inspires your writing?
A: Usually it’s a real-life moment, a memory, a phrase in conversation, or a feeling that lingers. Sometimes it’s just sitting with a guitar or piano until something clicks. The trick is catching that spark before it fades.
Q: The cover art for this release, with its hills and mountains, feels peaceful yet layered. Can you walk us through the inspiration behind it, and what emotion or reflection you hope observers take away from the visual theme?
A: What if Missouri was in Japan? We wanted to weave in spiritual imagery, hence the cross, and give it a cinematic, manga-inspired quality something meditative and transformative, like Spirited Away.
Q: The themes of faith, impermanence, and resilience are deeply embedded in Mizuri. How have these ideas shaped your personal lives, and in what ways have they influenced the way you’re approaching music right now?
A: We’ve had times when life forced us to slow down like loosing the ability to walk for months or being stuck in a brain rot video game. Music became our anchor, and that experience still informs everything we write. For us, faith and resilience aren’t abstract concepts, they’re lived experiences. That’s why songs like Mizuri feel so raw and real.
Q: After learning about Matt’s deeply personal verse in Mizuri, how did the rest of the band and Gaby channel that energy into this collective expression?
A: Matt’s verse gave us the foundation. Roy added his take, Alex helped shape the production, and Gaby sang as if it were her own story. But more than anything, it worked because we’re friends first. We’d hang out, play around with Mizuri, then shift to something else. That ease turned one person’s story into something bigger.
Q: How did your collaboration with Gaby first come about? And what was the moment that made you realize, This is the voice this song needs?
A: Roy has known Gaby for years and always admired her voice. We wanted to collaborate with her for a while, but hadn’t found the right song. When Mizuri came along, it was obvious. The moment she sang the opening line, it clicked as her voice was the missing piece.
Q: The use of stereo shakers gave the track such an immersive texture. What atmosphere were you aiming to create with that detail, and how do you approach these production choices?
A: The goal was to make listeners feel like they were inside the room. We’ve been experimenting with binaural recording, especially with percussion, and it brings the sound alive. For Mizuri, stereo movement felt like a cinematic camera panning in sound..something subtle but deeply immersive.
Q: The mixing on Mizuri brings out so much nuance. What made Roy and Alex Krepikh the ideal team for this process, and how did their collaboration shape the final sound?
A: Roy and Alex have worked together for nearly a decade. They’re opposites, Alex is technical, Roy is feel driven and that tension makes their mixes special. For Mizuri, their push and pull gave the track its balance of intimacy and expansiveness.
Q: The live drums and PRS Custom guitar gave the song a grounded energy. How did those choices influence the outcome, and were there any creative detours along the way?
A: The PRS guitar brought warmth and depth, while the live drums gave it heartbeat energy. At first, we tried only percussion and shakers, but it didn’t arc properly. Once the live drums went down, the track came alive..it was one of those “this is it” moments.
Q: With Mizuri feeling like a milestone for the band, how do you see your music evolving from here? What lasting message or imprint do you hope this body of work leaves with listeners?
A: Mizuri is part of a series that defines our style : somewhere between folk, pop, rock, funk, and dreamlike psych. Songs that are both live friendly and emotionally grounded. From here, I want to keep blending eclectic sounds with honest storytelling. Years from now, I hope people listen and feel what we felt creating them..
John Lebanon, thank you so much, we appreciate you taking the time to talk to us!
End Interview
We’re happy to have shared John Lebanon’s exciting journey with you and uncovered such inspiring insights about their creative process.
